Weary Travelers Support Operation Iraqi Freedom Troops at BWI

American Forces Press Service ^ | Oct 31, 2003 | Donna Miles

[Spruce]

Weary Travelers Support Operation Iraqi Freedom Troops at BWI

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2003 — Nearly everyone has experienced it at one time or another: an airport bogged down by bad weather, delayed and cancelled flights, and cranky, overtired travelers wanting nothing more than to get to their destinations.

That's exactly what Will Ross, an administrative judge for the Defense Department's Office of Hearings and Appeals in Los Angeles, encountered Oct. 27 at Baltimore/Washington International Airport.

But what he witnessed that day, he said, "made me proud to be an American, and also told me why we will win this war (on terrorism)."

Like many of his fellow passengers, Ross had been forced to spend the night in Baltimore. His outbound flight, scheduled for the night before, had been cancelled due to the California wildfires. They had forced the Los Angeles International Airport to close, and the ripple effect drove domestic travel nationwide into a tailspin.

When Ross reported to the United Airlines counter the following morning for the next scheduled flight to Los Angeles, bad weather and aircraft mechanical problems made the prospect of a timely trip even more grim.

As he waited in the terminal, Ross noticed many soldiers in their desert camouflage uniforms, newly arrived from Southwest Asia. All, like Ross and the other passengers at the airport, were awaiting connecting flights — but in the soldiers' case, it was to begin two weeks of rest and recuperation leave.

Flight delays continued and the airport had become, in Ross's words, "a zoo." By the afternoon, one flight to Denver had been delayed several hours. United Airlines agents kept asking for volunteers to give up their seats and take another flight, but Ross said they weren't getting many takers.

Finally, Ross said a United Airlines spokeswoman got on the public address system and made a desperate plea. "Folks, as you can see, there are a lot of soldiers in the waiting area," the agent said. "They only have 14 days of leave and we're trying to get them where they need to go without spending any more time in an airport than they have to.

"We sold them all tickets knowing we would oversell the flight. If we can, we want to get them all on this flight. We want all the soldiers to know … we respect what you're doing, we are here for you and we love you," the agent continued. "The entire terminal of cranky, tired, travel-weary people -- a cross-section of America -- broke into sustained and heartfelt applause," Ross said. "We're talking about several hundred people applauding, a whole terminal.

"The soldiers looked surprised and very modest," he continued. "Most of them just looked at their boots." Many of the travelers in the terminal wiped away tears.

"And, yes," Ross said, "people lined up to take the later flight and all the soldiers went to Denver on that flight."

Ross said he figured that 30 or 40 people had suddenly jumped at the chance to offer their seats to U.S. soldiers.

That moment, he said, reinforced his patriotism and his heartfelt belief that the United States will prevail in the war on terror.

"I think people realized that this fight is going to be long and drawn-out, and these kids are in the thick of it," he said. "It was heartwarming to see their outpouring of support."

[mewzilla]

God Bless America BUMP

Yeah, what you said. :)

[mystery-ak]

That's a great idea....my hubby, Mike will be arriving in BWI sometime tomorrow...I only hope he has a seat on a flight home...

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Give him a hug for us.

If he mentions the idiots that march, remind him that more people sang the National Anthem Saturday night than were in the streets of Washington.

With greatful thanks.
JVb

[Tijeras_Slim]

Great! Tell him we're all very proud.

[tgslTakoma]

You have FReepmail on the way...

[HiJinx]

Hey, Partner, do you have contacts with the BSA Council in Dallas? Could you see if there's any way to set up a welcoming committee on such short notice?

If I heard they were coming into Tucson or Phoenix, I'd be there in a heartbeat!

HJ

[SandRat]

I'm in the process of doing just that send out a warning order to each Dist in ATL (done) and DFW (about 1/2 done now).

[SandRat]

It's now 12:52 AZ and all of ATL and DFW Scout District Key Three Leadership have been contacted.

[SandRat]

It's now 13:00 AZ and out of the 75 emails there were only 3 undeliverable/rejects. Not Bad!

[tgslTakoma]

You wouldn't happen to have any contacts in DC/Baltimore area for BSA, would you?

[VOA]

"The soldiers looked surprised and very modest," he continued. "Most of them just
looked at their boots." Many of the travelers in the terminal wiped away tears.

I'm sure Tom Daschle was saddened and disappointed.
As well as the other cut-and-run Democratic Presidential Hopefuls...

[VOA]

"I think people realized that this fight is going to be long and drawn-out, and these
kids are in the thick of it," he said. "It was heartwarming to see their outpouring of support."

this is what really makes a lot of Democrats/Socialists weep...
understanding that most of the country "gets it" and still supports the war on terror.

[VOA]

Delta let the soldiers board first before everyone and they boarded to cheers. As they
got off the plane, everyone patted them, thanked them and they were all adorable perfect gentlemen.

Thanks for the report.
But this thread needed a "move back from computer to avoid aqueous saline solution
contamination of keyboard" alert.

[SandRat]

Shoot emails to the Key Three of Arrowhead District, Carroll District - Senior District Executive Greg Buckler his email is at the bottom of the page, Four Rivers District, Babe Ruth District, Dulaney District, Capitol District.

I think that just about covers it tgslTakoma have fun.

Take the time to cruise around the different web sites for these Districts to see all the Good Kids and the fun they are having.

TTFN SR

[SandRat]

Four Rivers District Link. Sorry.

[VOA]

just a ping (I apologize if it's a bother)...
Post #19 might be of interest...if you know of any DFW area folks who might like
to great some of the best-and-brightest as they swing through the DFW airport...

I'm going to try to contact my cousins in Dallas to let them know...

[SandRat]

See link #34 Capital District. You may be able to help tgslTakoma shake some Scouts Loose to give Rowsing Welcome to the Troops.

[VOA]

Finally, Ross said a United Airlines spokeswoman got on the public address system and
made a desperate plea. "Folks, as you can see, there are a lot of soldiers in the
waiting area," the agent said....
...We want all the soldiers to know … we respect what you're doing, we are here for
you and we love you," the agent continued. "

G-d Bless This Agent...for saying the magic words to wake up an unhappy crowd of
(understandbly) cranky, sleep-deprived and stressed civilians.
Sometime it takes just some words from one person to put things right...

Heck, I suspect even an old grump like me couldn't have got past that last line without
at least having my voice crack...

[MeekOneGOP]

Post #19 might be of interest...if you know of any DFW area folks who might like to greet some of the best-and-brightest as they swing through the DFW airport...

Thanks for the heads up, VOA.

Hey, fellow Texans ! Any Freepers that might want to greet some returning troops getting R&R back in the States here please see posts #36 and #19. They'll be passing through D/FW Airport Sunday November 2nd, from Iraq.

If you know of any others that might want to greet them, please ping them here. Thanks !!

[sinkspur]

They'll be passing through D/FW Airport Sunday November 2nd, from Iraq.

If they're just changing planes, you won't be able to get past security to see them.

You've got to have a ticket.